Swap Park upgrade
Swap Park is set to become the new home of the Matamata Swifts Association Football Club.
Matamata Swifts president Dwayne Barlow said the aim is to build a greenfield, fit-for-purpose football facility at the park.
This will include three full size football fields, a modern clubhouse and off-road parking.
‘‘ We will build a community facility, purpose-built for a successful and growing football club,’’ he said.
In the years 2011- 2012, $100,000 has been earmarked for the project.
The facility will also be available to be used by other suitable community groups. Examples of such groups would be the Mata- mata Cricket Association, Scouts and Guides and the BMX club.
Swap Park is currently not formally used by any community group. It is designated as a reserve.
‘‘We aim to provide a legacy facility for our whole community to enjoy,’’ he said.
Matamata Swifts and the Matamata-Piako District Council have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
The project will be managed on a stage-by-stage basis.
‘‘Our aim is for the project to begin in 2012 with the start of the groundwork, which would include the preparation of the fields for football, along with basic car parking. We aim to be able to play foot- ball at Swap Park at the start of the 2013 season,’’ Mr Barlow said.
Clubrooms and other amenities, such as pitch lighting, an indoor training area and an artificial playing surface, will follow as the budget allows.
‘‘We want to future-proof the sport of football in our community,’’ Mr Barlow said.
‘‘Football in Matamata is currently experiencing positive levels of growth and success and needs more space and improved facilities.
‘‘Our vision is that the Swap Park arena will become the best football facility in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions and a superb facility for a number of other local community groups.’’